Meerlo, Blitterswijck and Venray

The starting point of this route is Vakantie Meerlo, a beautiful 240-year-old mansion with luxurious hotel rooms and spacious holiday apartments. If you are looking for something a little different, you can also stay in the hiker's huts or sturdy storm tents on your own site. So plenty of choice! You will find several nice towns in the vicinity of Meerlo. You are only half an hour's bike ride from Venray and Horst, both very hospitable and small-scale. Today's route takes you to Venray and the beautiful surroundings of this nice town. Be sure to take a look around the St. Petrus Bandenkerk and take a stroll through the center - it is not without reason that Venray was voted Best City Center in 2013! You will also discover the nice villages around Venray, such as Merselo, an esdorp on the edge of the (former) Peel. On the edge of the village is the 19th century belt mill Nooit Gedacht. The mill was built in 1867 by Simon Lambertus van den Brekel, miller at the mill built by his father in Haren near Oisterwijk. The masonry of the mill was carried out by masons who built lighthouses in the sea. As a result, the masonry received special attention and the walls became virtually waterproof. In Venray you can choose from numerous restaurants and terraces. At Eurotel, for example, you will find an attractive, intimate restaurant where, in addition to the menu, seasonal specialties and surprise menus are also served. The casual atmosphere in the restaurant, the delicious cuisine and the friendly service are the ingredients for a wonderful evening out. Something to remember for tonight, from Meerlo you can get to Venray in no time! There are many beautiful places to discover here. Such as the Geijsteren Estate, which used to belong to the Geijsteren Castle on the Maas, which was destroyed in the last war. The castle is currently being made visible again. The estate consists of extensive coniferous and hardwood forests with fens that invite you to take beautiful bike rides. The beautiful Oostrumse brook meanders through the landscape and you will also find old farms, the Rosmolen and the Sint Willibordus Chapel. The latter is very special, because the Gothic chapel dates from the 16th century and is located exactly on the provincial border between Limburg and North Brabant. The chapel contains a Willibrordus statue from the mid-17th century and a reredos from the 18th century. In 1641 the chapel was restored by order of Adam Schellart van Obbendorp and Aleida van Wittenhorst, which can still be seen on the facade stone. The open prayer hall was added in 1896. Near the chapel is the St-Willibrordsput, which is known as the holy source: according to legend, Saint Willibrordus preached and baptized new believers at this original sacrificial and meeting place. The Rosmolen is also very beautiful, picturesquely located on the Geijsteren Estate and recently restored. Due to its strangely round tent roof, which is covered with straw, the Rosmolen is the most picturesque watermill in Limburg. This lower watermill was built in 1667 on the Oostrumse Beek, the upper mill is the Oostrumse watermill. The building of this building is still in Oostrum, but the stream and water wheel are no longer visible. You can also discover the village of Oostrum itself with this route. The church is central to the village and behind it the Trans Cedron Stations of the Cross park (\\\'over the stream\\\') with 11 chapels and a cave. The stream has now been relocated, so that the Alde Meule water mill is no longer on the water. The rustic village of Blitterswijck is also worth a visit. It is located almost on the Maas, at the place where the pedestrian and bicycle ferry crosses the Maas to Wellerlooi. The living room cafe Aunt Jet has been located near the ferry for many years, named after the lady who worked there until she was very old. With its terrace on the Maas, restaurant Tante Jet is located in one of the most beautiful spots on the Limburg Maas. Worth stopping for coffee with Limburg pie or a regional dish from the land of Peel & Maas. Your drink here is also in style, because you can choose from various regional beers and liqueurs. There are still countless old houses and farms in the village of Blitterswijck. The nice Cafe de Zwart is located on Kerkplein. The place where Blitterswijck Castle once stood is still easily recognizable by the long castle wall, the only thing still standing. In 1944 the castle was completely destroyed. The masonry - in standing bond with 27 cm long bricks - shows that the castle dates from the 14th century.